It was not the Playoffs matchup expected for the National Senior last weekend, against the French Lyceum. It was a rival that we could handle on paper without problems given our recent history against them, and also, the overwhelming pace that those led by José Antonio Sánchez had in the last ten league match days.

An unexpected, negative opening day of the Round of 16 at Javi Limones, and this conditioned the rest of the series. A heavy defeat (71-86) where the rival scored more than fifteen triples was overwhelming and put the pressure to win in that difficult and small and almost claustrophobic Liceo Francés pavilion in Madrid. May 14th arrived, an away game where there was always parity on the scoreboard, ended up turning in favor of the locals (71-68). Our Senior with several U-22 players and even Juniors 2004, 2005 and a Cadet 2006 on the court, a very young team with which it was time to face this final phase, and at least they take this experience with them for posterity.

In retrospect, Individually we have to highlight Iván Sánchez, an offensive benchmark throughout the year and the team top scorer on average, who showed that the Primera Nacional category is too small for him. The always reliable contribution of the eternal captain Roberto Donaire, increasingly leader of the group. The perimeter skill set of Pau Monroig, a shooter who has seen minutes even in LEB Plata, or Carlos Abentín and his intensity on both sides, another "veteran" of the EBA league. As a piece of gear and it has grown with the passing of the season, the big man Mario Pérez, who returned from a long-term injury and has been a player with many minutes throughout the course.

In the youth sector, the Chilean contribution of Branko Coro, who has taken two steps forward and we predict he will have a good professional career, as well as Manuel Flores. Continuing with the foreigners who are on the rise, we highlight Alejandro Pena, the Venezuelan, one of the greatest advances of the season both in the U-22 and National when he has had minutes. And even lower down, it is key to note with some names: the minutes of new players such as Chilean Daniel Ríos, who is expected to be the leader of Junior A next season, as well as the Senegalese Amadou Maiga, 2006 very regular. Icing on the cake for Simeon Maynard, with a dazzling projection in Torrejón Basketball Academy bet in the Caribbean. After the Trinidadian Malique Lewis – already with ACB minutes –, the one from Barbados has taken the baton.

There is a future, and we will return again. Last season we ended up winning the Final Four. In this one, a little further. We take the learning with us. The #TorrejonEsDeEBA will have to wait one more season.